PEER® FAQ's and Subscription

Described by one client as a 'Game Changer', the following provides answers to frequently asked questions(FAQs) about PEER&reg safety software.

General Considerations

What are the benefits to my company?Answer: There are many benefits to using PEER&reg safety software, which include:

Increasing the effectiveness of your company's safety efforts

Identify potential Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs) before they happen

Identifying precursors and exposure categories leading to SIFs

Simplifying the process of identifying unwanted behaviors

Identifying the build up of potential incidents before they happen

Monitoring the status of Corrective Actions

Facilitating the development of focused action plans in 'real-time' via the PEER&reg dashboards.

Eliminating IT administration time and costs with our hosted solution.

Why did BSMS develop PEER&reg?Answer: Initially the idea came from working with clients to capture observation and discussion data to enhance their safety observation processes. In 2007 we worked with SHELL on the Corrib project in Ireland, where we used paper cards and an excel spreadsheet. Later, we worked for EPCOR in Canada, who suggested we develop the software to make the whole process more efficient by removing the need for paper and pencil cards, and handing them in for data-entry. They wanted their people to enter the data directly into the software to reduce the time, money and effort involved.

By the end of 2009, using BSMS in-house programmers, PEER&reg safety software was born. Version 1 was used by Petrochemical, Oil & Gas, and Metal Refining facilities in the Middle-East and elsewhere. With significant upgrades based on client feedback, Version 2 was released in 2012 and is still in use today by some clients.

In 2013 we did a significant amount of work examining the causes and correlates of potential Serious Injuries and Fatalities for a major client in the USA, resulting in Version 3 by March 2014 that specifically addresses these. We currently maintain both Version 2 (Non-SIF) and Version 3 (SIF enabled).

IT Considerations

Do our IT department have to do anything to install PEER&reg?Answer: NO. They only need to give "Users" access to the internet (perhaps via a dedicated computer if there are restrictions on internet usage by employees).
Will PEER&reg compromise the security of our IT network. Answer: NO. PEER&reg is hosted on our secure servers, and is delivered through the Web. PEER&reg does not host any information that could be used to break into your network and servers. It simply stores safety data.
Who owns the data?Answer: YOU DO! We're just custodians. We simply make and maintain the vehicle that gets you from A to B
How secure is the data?Answer:Very. We have adopted and initiated a multiple ‘defense in depth’ philosophy to ensure your data is secure.

Is there a data-back-up service?Answer:YES. We automatically keep a 30 day rolling back-up of all data. Should something go wrong, we can restore your data.

Can we purchase the Source Code and host it internally?Answer: POTENTIALLY, YES: For large organizations desiring to use PEER&reg in all of its facilities, it is possible to purchase a "one-time" non-exclusive license so your company may host the software on its own internal IT Servers (license restrictions apply). Details available on request.

User Considerations

Can we enter PEER&reg data using smart phones and tablets?Answer:YES. Because PEER&reg safety software is a web-based application, people can use smart phones / tablets or office computers to enter data. This means people can enter data while in the field or in the office.

What kind of data can PEER&reg collect and store?Answer: PEER&reg has a standardized data entry card that collects information on consequence management, behavioral categories of concern, precursors, exposure categories, and types of impact for potential Serious Injuries and Fatalities, various root causes, and immediate and follow-up corrective actions. Users, and their designated sites and locations are also stored.

Who has access to PEER&reg and what can they see?Answer: Only those people you have designated as "Users" have access to PEER&reg safety software.

Normal "Users" have limited access to the data. Each "User" has their own separate account, and they can see everything they have ever entered. They cannot see what other "Users" have entered.

PEER&reg software Administrators can see the aggregated data for all "Users", monitor trends and drill-down into the data if they wish. It is up to you to determine who has administrator access or those who are simply a normal "User".

Who enters the data?Answer: Anyone in your Company who does safety observations, and has been given access rights. We do not do data entry for you. That is your people’s responsibility. Most "Users" have been trained to observe and discuss safety, and are aware of what they are looking for. In some companies, untrained "Users" have been able to successfully enter data as PEER&reg is so easy to use and is intuitive.

Some companies who have been using other Behavioral-Based Safety software packages have switched to PEER&reg as it is so "User" friendly, and provides the means for more extensive analysis of the data.

Is PEER&reg safety software easy to use?Answer: YES. We have specifically designed it to be ‘user friendly’. The software is easy to use and understand. Users login and access the ‘data entry’ screen via a ‘tab’ and record their findings and save. It takes a few minutes depending on the depth of detail they enter. Users can also view their previous records and update or close out their corrective actions.

Does the 'Administrator' require training?Answer: NO. The software is intuitive and can be learnt in a few minutes. However, some Administrators like to be trained in data interpretation.

Who can use it?Answer: Anyone who does Safety Observations, and has been given access rights. Each user has his or her own account, where they can enter new findings, or review previous findings.

Are there restrictions on the number of Users?Answer: NO. We do not limit the number of users from a site. In other words, everyone on site can use it within the terms of the site license

Will you provide ‘Safety Observation’ training to our people?Answer: YES. We can train as many people in your company as you desire. Simply contact us to make the appropriate arrangements.

Financial Considerations

Is there a charge for PEER&reg?Answer: YES. We charge two kinds of fees: annual site license fees and ongoing support fees (See below). Annual site license fees are charged on the anniversary date of its first set-up for your Company every year you choose to use it.

How much is a site license?
Offering great value, the annual site license is just $5,000 per year. If you wish you can create an annual subscription using your credit card by hitting the 'Subscribe' button below. Alternatively, you can send us a Purchase Order for your company to be billed against.

Are volume discounts available?Answer: YES. Discounted corporate license fees are available for those who wish to purchase 10 or more PEER&reg annual site licenses.

Can we expand capability as our company grows?Answer: YES. We can add additional site licenses as the need arises, for the appropriate site license fees.

What charges are there for Upgrades?Answer: There are none. Everyone benefits from our continuous improvement activities that come from our own experiences, or added-value suggestions from clients. Additional features or tweaks are installed quietly behind the scenes, with administrators informed of developments on the admin portal page.

Support Considerations

Can BSMS provide ongoing support?Answer: YES. This is an option and not mandatory. It is up to you to request it. Ongoing Support Fees are charged.
On-going Support options include our people:

helping you setting up the structure of the application to mirror your organization at commencement

providing your PEER&reg administrator(s) with training in how to use PEER&reg

analyzing the data and providing monthly reports to you to steer you in the right direction to maximize the benefits.

providing coaching on data-analysis

What about customer support?Answer: We are concerned to ensure our customers receive the excellent levels of support they desire. We always respond to problem reports within 24 hours, and usually quicker. The frequency of updates depends on the issue.

If a basic "component" is reported not to be performing as expected we pull out all the stops to try and fix it immediately, for no charge. We respond to problems resulting from a "User" not following instructions, the inaccuracy of any Input Material or any other cause attributable to the "User(s)" as quickly as we can, but hourly fees are charged.

Who supports PEER&reg?Answer: BSMS provide the support services described in the license. Based on our expertise and ongoing research in Safety Culture, Safety Leadership and Behavior-Based Safety, we are constantly striving to improve the application features. We also listen closely to client suggestions for enhancements and improvements. If a client offers suggestions for new product features and enhancements we will determine the feasibility of the suggestion, and if reasonable will endeavor to complete it as time and workload allows.

Will you tailor the platform to our specific needs?
We are willing to discuss and accommodate your needs. If a Client requests that BSMS specifically develop programmed code for new product features and enhancements we will provide a price on application and mutually agree an appropriate time frame for completion.